Michiganders feel at home with Sol De Frio's frozen sunshine concept

Rumia Ambrose Burbank, founder of Sole de Frio located at The Mall at Partridge Creek. Burbank is hoping her new Michigan franchise will become the Godiva of frozen yogurt cafes. (The Macomb Daily/David Dalton)

“Sol De Frio means frozen sunshine,” said Rumia Ambrose-Burbank, 39, of Macomb Township, founder of the dessert destination that opened at The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township. “It brings the element of the cold, that being the frozen yogurt, with the hot, which is coffee and hot chocolate. The frozen yogurt industry is really hitting the Midwest and we wanted to differentiate ourselves. We’ve been working on this concept for three years.”

She’s not talking about ice cream shops that also serve frozen yogurt. She means froyo - as in trendy West Coast self-serve, choose-your-own topping frozen yogurt shops that have America’s health-conscious and trendsetters sashaying into froyo cafes with names like Berry Freeze and Chill.

What people love about the froyo concept is the freedom to pull (as in frozen yogurt dispensers) and pick whatever their heart desires (or should have health-wise). Shops offer all of the traditional yogurt flavors such as chocolate and strawberry, but also cool concoctions like pomegranate-blueberry and salted caramel coconut. Catering to the health-conscious, most also dispense no-sugar-added, gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives. Cup of froyo in hand (which is normally sold by the pound), patrons can then go over to the toppings bar.

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“This will be fresh fruit like strawberries and peaches,” said Ambrose-Burbank giving a tour of the toppings bar. Oakland County froyo fans will be happy to know a second Sol De Frio frozen yogurt café is in the works for Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.

Once the healthy stuff has been scooped, patrons can hit the dry goods bar featuring everything from peanuts and chocolate chips to almonds and sour gummies.

During Michigan’s cooler season, tasty choices can be made on the hot side of the shop where machines will dispense a variety of beverages including dark chocolate mocha coffees and hot chocolates. There will be a toppings bar for those, too, with everything from dark chocolate and cinnamon sticks to peppermint candy and low-calorie marshmallows and nonfat whipped cream.

“They can load up on the stuff and not have to worry about it,” said the mother of three.

What also sets Sol De Frio apart is its Michigan-based owner, Ambrose-Burbank.

Her other company in Troy, Vendor Managed Solutions, began as a joint venture with her former employer and five people. Following her vision and determination to succeed, it grew to become a million dollar independent company with a staff of 150. In her mid-30s, Ambrose-Burbank was honored among Crain’s Detroit’s 40 under 40 and nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award - a major accomplishment considering her competition was furniture baron Art Van Elslander. She actively supports community events like America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, paying her dues yearly as a member of its Distinguished Clown Corps, and important causes like Toys for Tots and Focus: Hope. She also serves on the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce and the board of a Detroit-area charter school.

“I have a passion for Michigan,” said Ambrose, who is hoping her franchise will serve as a solid economic base. “Everything that we sell will be from Michigan, even are machines (Michigan Electro Freeze) are local.”

Thanks to Ambrose-Burbank, even Holy Chocolate, a California-based manufacturer supplying the cafes with rich gourmet chocolate drinks and bars, will have a home in Michigan. “He’s going to put a distribution center in Michigan,” Ambrose-Burbank said of the chocolate beverage manufacturer. At Sol De Frio, Ambrose-Burbank also hopes to offer desserts made locally, and is open to talking to cookie and baked-goods entrepreneurs.

“This is how we help Michigan. This is how we help our kids.”

AS for the kids, they like what they’ve seen and tasted so far

“I had vanilla frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries and kiwi,” said Stefanie Weaver, 15, of New Baltimore. “It was $5.40. I thought it was really good but next time I’ll have vanilla with gummy bears.”

Her friend Heidi Klotz plans to try a froyo next time too. This trip, however, was mostly to see what Sol De Frio was all about. “I like it inside and that you can personalize (your frozen yogurt choice) more than other places.”

Weaver concurred.

“They have a nice lounge area and things to do like checkers,” Weaver said.

“It’s all about developing a brand that sets us apart,” Ambrose-Burbank said. “We want to be the Godiva of the frozen yogurt industry. And we want customers to walk in and feel at home.”

Sol De Frio is located at The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township (near Carson’s). Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

About the Author

Gina Joseph is a multimedia journalist and columnist for The Macomb Daily. Reach the author at gina.joseph@macombdaily.com Follow @ginaljoseph on Twitter or visit her beat blog macomblife.blogspot.com. Reach the author at gina.joseph@macombdaily.com
or follow Gina on Twitter: @ginaljoseph.